Kentucky school district to add its own police force

An eastern Kentucky school district has voted to start its own police department. The Martin County Police department will have five certified officers, including a police chief. The five officers would be stationed at the five schools in Martin County. Martin County School Superintendent Larry James told Eyewitness News the officers will have arrest powers. … Read more

Another restaurant joins South Charleston development

A new development is coming to South Charleston’s Park Place. Mission BBQ will join Starbucks and Chick-fil-A in the area, according to South Charleston Mayor Frank Mullens. The barbeque chain opened in 2011 and now has locations in more than 20 states, including Ohio and Kentucky. Mullens told Eyewitness News contractors plan to break ground … Read more

Renovations are coming to Marshall’s football stadium

The home of the Marshall Thundering Herd is undergoing a $2 million renovation project. On Wednesday, the Marshall Board of Governors approved construction of the Shewey Deck by the football field. The deck will include field level seating, club space and an outside deck on the existing Shewey building. Eyewitness News said university funding will … Read more

Former fire chief faces embezzlement charges

A former volunteer fire chief in Nicholas County was indicted last month in an embezzlement investigation. Charles W. Bickford was indicted by Nicholas County Grand Jury in January on charges of embezzlement and 11 counts of computer fraud in an investigation dating back to September 2021. Eyewitness News reported Bickford is accused of using his … Read more

Judge orders the DoHS to help staff CPS in several counties

A circuit court judge is ordering officials with the West Virginia Department of Human Services to report to work in several counties as Child Protective Services workers. The judge is citing the department’s “critical understaffing.” The area that needs the most help encompasses Doddridge, Lewis, Pleasants, Ritchie and Upshur Counties. The cases involving juveniles are … Read more

Military training exercises are happening in Mingo County

Those in Mingo County should know there are military exercises hapeening this week in the Wharncliffe area. The operational exercises will continue through Friday, according to a social media post from Mingo County Emergency Management. Emergency crews noted the military will be implementing the use of utility terrain vehicles along roadways in the area.

New Community Center opens in Wood County

Wood County invested a large portion of its federal COVID funds in a multi-purpose $13 million structure on the site of the former county jail. Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Wood County Resiliency Center was accompanied by complaints about how that money was utilized, according to Eyewitness News. The building combines a convention center, a … Read more

South Charleston Community Center fire started in the sauna

A fire was contained at the South Charleston Community Center Tuesday evening. The blaze was reported shortly after 6 p.m. in the sauna room, according to South Charleston fire chief Virgil White. First responders on scene told Eyewitness News it is believed a towel caught fire. Firefighters said crews worked to ventilate the smoke out … Read more